Departmental Awards

2012

The Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) North Region presented Allen Parks and Recreation with a Communications Award for a Facebook Photo Contest and an Excellence in Programming (Recreation Program) Award for Alliance for a Healthier Allen.

Allen Parks and Recreation was presented with a TOMA award from the Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute for Best PSA/Promotional Presentation for a video produced for Allen Event Center's first anniversary.

2013

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) named Allen Parks and Recreation a finalist for the highly coveted Gold Medal Award for the first time.

The TRAPS North Region presented Allen Parks and Recreation with an Excellence in Programming Award for the Read to Reed program, which helps elementary students with reading skills, and the Part Time Employee of the Year award, given to Tom Cato.

2014

AllenUSA.org was named the Adobe Muse Site of the Day, received an In-House Design award from Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) and was given Best Event Website (Bronze) recognition from the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), Best Festival/Event Mobile App from IFEA, Best Event Website (Bronze) from Texas Festivals & Events Association (TFEA) and Best Festival/Event Mobile App (Bronze) from TFEA.

NRPA named Allen Parks and Recreation a Gold Medal Award finalist the second year in a row.

The TRAPS North Region presented the Horizons Award for young professionals to Ashley McInnis, supervisor at Joe Farmer Recreation Center. Also, the TRAPS North Region awarded Allen Parks and Recreation with a Communications Award for the Summer Sounds Selfie Promotion and an Excellence in Programming Award for the Zombie Apocalypse Camp.

Allen Parks and Recreation received TRAPS State awards in Media Excellence for Rec X Video Series and Outstanding Service Individual to Jim Waldbauer, President of Allen Parks Foundation.

The Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute named Allen Parks and Recreation a TOMA award winner for best innovative program for "Marketing D'OH-N'TS."

2015

Market Street Allen USA Celebration received numerous recognitions from IFEA, including Best Event Website for AllenUSA.org, Best Miscellaneous Multimedia for a PFSweb military tribute video and Best Festival/Event Mobile App (Silver) for AllenUSA.org.

HOW Magazine presented an In-House Design Award (Merit) under the Government Category for Allen Parks and Recreation’s marketing design.

NRPA named Allen Parks and recreation a Gold Medal Award finalist for the third-consecutive year.

2016

After being named a fourth-year finalist, for the first time in departmental history, Allen Parks and Recreation was named winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, which honors communities in the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.

The department also won numerous awards for its marketing and sponsor efforts for Market Street Allen USA Celebration, including TFEA awards for Best Event Website (Silver) for AllenUSA.org, Best Festival/Event Mobile app for AllenUSA.org, Best Miscellaneous Multimedia for the PFSweb video tribute to the military, Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials for the Market Street Allen USA Celebration partner guidebook and Best New Sponsor Program for an exhibit

Other awards for Market Street Allen USA Celebration came from IFEA, including Best Event Website for AllenUSA.org, Best Miscellaneous Multimedia for the PFSweb video tribute to the military, Best Single Newspaper Display Ad for Market Street Allen USA Celebration, Best Vendor/Supplier, Best Festival/Event Mobile App (Bronze), Best Ad Series (Silver) and Best Partner Sponsor.

The TRAPS North Region awarded Allen Parks and Recreation with the Excellence in Programming – Senior award for the U.S. Citizenship Class at Allen Senior Recreation Center. The 12-week complimentary course teaches American history and government while improving participants' English communication skills in preparation for citizenship exams.

Allen Parks and Recreation received a TOMA award for the Cottonwood Creek Trail Bridge project from the Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute.

2017

The Allen Parks and Recreation Department’s recreation services manager, Travis Cunniff, was honored with the 2017 Jerry D. Garrett Memorial Young Professional Award by TRAPS State. The Young Professional Award annually recognizes one outstanding professional in the entire state in the field of Parks and Recreation who is committed to advancing the industry through leadership, work accomplishments and volunteerism.

The Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute gave the 2017 TOMA Award for Creative Projects to Allen Parks and Recreation for Cottonwood Creek Trail Extension.

IFEA gave Allen Parks and Recreation the Best New Promotion Activity award (Gold) for the "Are You as Tough as a Cowboy?" Combine Challenge at 2017 Market Street Allen USA Celebration.

The TRAPS North Region awarded the Center Supervisor for Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium and Ford Pool, Jonathan McCloskey, with the Horizons Award for being an outstanding professional in the field.

2018

The Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute named the Allen Historic Water Station the winner of the 2018 TOMA Award for Creative Projects.